James m



(No Model.)

J. M. SMITH& G. J. FRITZ.

` BANJU. No. 451,782. Patented May 5,1891.

are flat.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. SMITH AND GEORGE J. FRITZ, OF BUTLER, NEI/V JERSEY; SAID FRITZASSIGNOR TO SAID SMITH.

BANJO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 451,782, dated May 5,1891.

Application filed December 9, 1890. Serial No. 374,064` (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern.-

Be it known that we,lJAMEs M. SMITH and GEORGE J. FRITZ, of Butler, inthe county of Morris and State of New Jersey, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Banjos, of which the following` is a full, clear,and exact description.

Our invention relates to an improvement in banjos, and has for itsobject to promote an increase of resonance in the instruments, givingthem a full, heavy, clear, distinct, and bell-like tone.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means whereby aresonant ring will have a rm and secure bearing upon the rim and thestrain exercised by the head upon the rim be equally divided all overthe same.

The invention cori'sists in a split or sectional resonant ring and inthe novel construction and combination of the several parts, as will behereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar figures and letters of referenceindicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a plan view of a banjo having the improvement applied andthe head partially in section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectionthrough the head, the rim, the ring, and their connections; and Fig. 3is a similar section taken only, however, through the ring, the rim, andthe parts connecting the two.

The resonant ring A is preferably made of metal, and is constructed intwo horizontal sections lO and ll,being substantially a split ring. Thetop and bottom surfaces are preferably cylindrical and the opposed innerfaces The lower member of the ring is provided with a series ofapertures extending through it at or near the center, and the uppermember has threaded openings produced in its under face corresponding innumber and location to the apertures in the lower member.

In connection with the ring a series of studs B is employed, the' lowersections l2 whereof are preferably round, the upper section 13 being ofless transverse area, and also round in cross-section. The difference indiameter of the said sections forms shoulders 14, and the upper ends ofthe reduced sections are threaded.

A number of recesses l5 is made in the uppel edge of the riln 1G,corresponding in crosssectional contour to that of the lower section ofthe studs. The recesses are, however, of less depth than the length ofthe said studsections, and are provided with casings or ferrules 17, ofmetal or other hard substance, the rim being usually made of wood. rlheupper reduced sections of the studs are passed through the apertures inthe lower member of the resonant ring and secured in the threadedopenings of the upper member. The two ring members are held somedistance apart by washers 18, introduced between them and carried by thestuds, and the studs are manipulated until the lower member of the ringrests upon their shoulders la. The lower sections of the studs areintroduced into the rimrecesses, and by reason of the difference betweenthe depth of the recesses and the length of the said stud-sections theshoulders 14 of the studs are above the top of the rim, and a space of,for instance, a quarter of an inch is thereby made to intervene betweenthe rim and the ring. The head or covering-membrane is laid upon thering, carried down beyond the sides thereof, and tightened in anywell-known manner and with any approved form of device, the ordinaryclamps being illustrated for that purpose in the drawings.

The members of th-e ring may be spaced and bolted or riveted togetherand the ring be attached to the rim otherwise thanis illustrated; butthe studs are preferred, as they insure an equal pressure upon the rimall around its upper edge when the head is tightened, and the manner ofconnecting the rim ICO 1. In a banjo or similar instrument, a resonantring,` formed of independent sections, substantially as shown anddescribed.

2. In a banjo or similar instrument, a resonant ring; consisting` of twohorizontal members and interposed washers, substantially as specified.

3. In a banjo or similar instrument, a resonant ring Consisting of twohorizontal menibers, washers interposed between said members, and studssecured to the members and extending downward beneath the under member,as and for the purpose specified.

et. In a banjo or similar instrument, the combination, with a rimprovided with sockets or recesses, of a sectional resonant ring,spacing-blocks interposed between the inembers of the ring, and studsconnecting,` the ring` members, the lower ends of which studs enter therim-recesses, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

. In a banjo or similar instrument, the

combination, with a rim provided with sock-

